On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Hickory County
Any construction, installation, renovation, or modification of wastewater treatment facilities under 3,000 GPD requires a county construction permit, unless an ordinance exemption applies
Systems with maximum daily sewage flow of 3,000 GPD or more
Wastewater facilities connected to sewage systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality or incorporated public sewer district within the county
Single-family residence lots of 3 acres or more if all system points are at least 10 feet from property lines and no effluent enters adjoining property, contaminates surface or groundwater, or creates a nuisance
No lot-size exemption applies if the property is adjacent to a lake operated by the Corps of Engineers or by a public utility
- Exempt Systems with maximum daily sewage flow of 3,000 GPD or more
- Exempt Wastewater facilities connected to sewage systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality or incorporated public sewer district within the county
- Exempt Single-family residence lots of 3 acres or more if all system points are at least 10 feet from property lines and no effluent enters adjoining property, contaminates surface or groundwater, or creates a nuisance
- Exempt No lot-size exemption applies if the property is adjacent to a lake operated by the Corps of Engineers or by a public utility
Required documents
- When a permit is required: Any construction, installation, renovation, or modification of wastewater treatment facilities under 3,000 GPD requires a county construction permit, unless an ordinance exemption applies
- Required documents: Signed permit application; legal description to nearest quarter-quarter section; site evaluation information and sketch for individual systems; detailed design for commercial systems under 3,000 GPD; installer name/signature; site diagram showing utilities, property lines, topography, setbacks, easements, buildings, slope, roads, and well
- Permit validity/expiration: The ordinance prohibits construction when a permit has expired, but the reviewed public copy did not state a numeric permit term
- Owner-builder rules if available: A homeowner does not have to be county-registered to install, add to, alter, or repair the private wastewater system serving the homeowner's permanent residence, but still must obtain a permit when repairs are required due to a valid complaint
- Contractor license requirements: Installers, contractors, tank cleaners, and engineers working under the ordinance must register with the county health officer; installer training is required every two years
- Building code adopted: County wastewater ordinance requires approval consistent with current Missouri Department of Health standards, particularly 10 CSR 20-8.021. No broader county building code office was identified in reviewed public sources
- Building code
- County wastewater ordinance requires approval consistent with current Missouri Department of Health standards, particularly 10 CSR 20-8.021. No broader county building code office was identified in reviewed public sources
- Permit validity
- The ordinance prohibits construction when a permit has expired, but the reviewed public copy did not state a numeric permit term
- Owner-builder
- A homeowner does not have to be county-registered to install, add to, alter, or repair the private wastewater system serving the homeowner's permanent residence, but still must obtain a permit when repairs are required due to a valid complaint
- Contractor requirements
- Installers, contractors, tank cleaners, and engineers working under the ordinance must register with the county health officer; installer training is required every two years
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No public turnaround estimate found
- 01 Confirm the project is in unincorporated Hickory County and is not served by an incorporated municipal or public sewer system
- 02 Obtain the county wastewater permit form from the health department website or office
- 03 Prepare the required site sketch and legal description. The ordinance requires a completed site evaluation/sketch for individual systems and a detailed design for commercial systems under 3,000 GPD
- 04 Identify a registered installer unless the homeowner is installing or repairing the system serving the homeowner's permanent residence under the owner exception
- 05 Submit the signed permit application and fee to the Hickory County Health Department
- 06 Wait for department review and approval of system type and capacity under current Missouri Department of Health standards
- 07 Construct the system, then obtain final approval before completion/operation
Typical processing time: No public turnaround estimate found
Source: Hickory County Health Department, Environmental Health ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Hickory County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$125.00 for a single-family dwelling wastewater permit
02
Plan check fee
No separate public plan-check fee listed; review appears included in permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
Flat fee. Single-family dwelling permit $125.00; non-single-family permit $200.00; operating permit $25.00 annually; installer/engineer/contractor/tank-cleaner registration $50.00 annually; lending-institution inspection $50.00
04
Reinspection fee
No public reinspection fee found. Violations may be prosecuted as misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000 per violation, and each day may be treated as a separate offense
Fees are nonrefundable, nontransferable, and due on application submission
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Through Hickory County Health Department Environmental Health staff; office phone and staff page identify the Environmental Public Health Specialist as the septic inspection contact ()
- Inspection hours
- Health department office hours posted as Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Typical sequence: Department review before permit issuance, construction by registered installer or qualifying homeowner, then final approval before completion/operation
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Hickory County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hickory County, MO? ▸
Any construction, installation, renovation, or modification of wastewater treatment facilities under 3,000 GPD requires a county construction permit, unless an ordinance exemption applies
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Hickory County, MO? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Hickory County, MO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $125.00 for a single-family dwelling wastewater permit. Fees are calculated as: Flat fee. Single-family dwelling permit $125.00; non-single-family permit $200.00; operating permit $25.00 annually; installer/engineer/contractor/tank-cleaner registration $50.00 annually; lending-institution inspection $50.00. Plan check fee: No separate public plan-check fee listed; review appears included in permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hickory County, MO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hickory County, MO, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the project is in unincorporated Hickory County and is not served by an incorporated municipal or public sewer system 2. Obtain the county wastewater permit form from the health department website or office 3. Prepare the required site sketch and legal description. The ordinance requires a completed site evaluation/sketch for individual systems and a detailed design for commercial systems under 3,000 GPD 4. Identify a registered installer unless the homeowner is installing or repairing the system serving the homeowner's permanent residence under the owner exception 5. Submit the signed permit application and fee to the Hickory County Health Department 6. Wait for department review and approval of system type and capacity under current Missouri Department of Health standards 7. Construct the system, then obtain final approval before completion/operation
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Hickory County, MO? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Hickory County, MO typically run No public turnaround estimate found. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hickory County, MO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Hickory County, MO. The following work is generally exempt: Systems with maximum daily sewage flow of 3,000 GPD or more; Wastewater facilities connected to sewage systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality or incorporated public sewer district within the county; Single-family residence lots of 3 acres or more if all system points are at least 10 feet from property lines and no effluent enters adjoining property, contaminates surface or groundwater, or creates a nuisance; No lot-size exemption applies if the property is adjacent to a lake operated by the Corps of Engineers or by a public utility. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hickory County, MO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hickory County, MO via: Through Hickory County Health Department Environmental Health staff; office phone and staff page identify the Environmental Public Health Specialist as the septic inspection contact.
last verified April 2026
source Hickory County Health Department, Environmental Health ↗
entry id permits/missouri/hickory/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Hickory County Health Department, Environmental Health before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.